A city-based advocate has moved the Bombay high court claiming that the Mumbai police, and the Economic Offences Wing (EoW) demand money from complainants for investigation.

A city-based advocate has moved the Bombay high court claiming that the Mumbai police, and the Economic Offences Wing (EoW) demand money from complainants for investigation.

The petitioner Mahesh Kukreja had lodged a complaint with the Khar police station against Dr Ajit Malusare and his wife who allegedly duped him of Rs15 lakh in 2006.

After repeated attempts to recover the money, Kukreja also learnt that a three bedroom flat in Koparkhairne which was given as collateral security was already mortgaged with a national bank by Malusare. Kukreja then filed a complaint and a metropolitan court issued process against Malusare and charges were framed.

The petition states that the Khar police initially took over the investigation, which was later transferred to Oshiwara police station due to jurisdiction issues.

Kukreja states that he was aghast when the then senior police inspector of Oshiwara, identified as one Khade, said that that it is a norm in Mumbai police and the EoW that no recovery is made unless 40% of the total recovered amount is assured to the investigating officer who has to “take care” of his seniors. The petition states that the practice adopted by the police is similar to the underworld, which initially acted as recovery agents. Kukreja says that he refused to part with the 40% allegedly demanded by the police.

On Monday, when the case came up for hearing before a bench of justice A M Khanwilkar and justice RG Ketkar, the court asked if this practice was true. “Is it true that you take money to investigate complaints,” justice Khanwilkar asked.

Additional public prosecutor Aruna Kamat Pai, after taking instructions from the Oshiwara police officer who was present in court said this was not true.

The court has, however, asked the state to file an affidavit in this regard before the next hearing on November 25.